Boffins At Coventry University Launch New Hydrogen-Powered Car

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Tue, 27 Sep 2011

Eco-friendly motorists across the UK may soon be able to get their hands on the H2EV - a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle produced by Coventry-based manufacturer Microcab.

The soon-to-launch H2EV is powered by a state-of-the-art 3kW fuel cell, which combines hydrogen from the car’s tank with atmospheric oxygen to create electricity. This drives the car’s electric motors with water vapour as the model’s only emission.

While a pure electric car can take hours to charge, the H2EV can be refilled with hydrogen in a matter of minutes, and can run for a claimed 100 miles before needing a top-up.

The green car, which also incorporates a chassis designed by Microcab and Delta Motorsport and engineered by Lotus, is being given to the West Midlands CABLED trial (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrator programme) for testing in real-world driving situations.

The unveiling of the H2EV comes just a week after the UK’s first public hydrogen refuelling station opened at Honda’s headquarters in Swindon.

John Jostins, MD of Microcab and professor of sustainable transport design at Coventry University, said: "We’re thrilled to be launching our new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle into the CABLED trial here in the West Midlands."

"The H2EV represents a significant step in the development of hydrogen as an alternative energy source of the future for cars, and the launch of the new filling station in Swindon – alongside the existing private stations at Coventry University and in Birmingham – is another milestone for the low-carbon industry."